Let’s call gender bias what it is: SEXISM

Sexism permeates throughout sport. It’s in our communities, our commentary boxes, our armchairs.

‘‘Gender biases’’. That’s the term used in the review of CyclingNZ and High Performance Sport NZ to describe what was going onwithin that environment.

That’s a polite way of saying ‘‘sexism’’.

Does that word – sexism – make you feel uncomfortable? So it should because experiencing sexism, and sexist practices, not only in sport but in life, is not comfortable.

The cycling review highlighted that ‘‘pervasive gender biases persist’’ within the environment, where there is a ‘‘fundamental power imbalance’’, issues of favouritism and a reliance on traditional male networks, which reviewers have asked to be dismantled.

They highlighted a ‘‘critical need’’ for greater diversity, and said a lack of proper support for women’s health and pregnancy is ‘‘harmful’’ and puts women in ‘‘jeopardy and risks unlawful discrimination’’.

A lack of female coaches was flagged as a safety issue, and the approach of not employing them on the basis of gender and ‘‘other attributes’’ is ‘‘damaging and selfdefeating’’.

The reviewers have called for all national sports organisations to address policies, practices and environments that maintain inequity.

But it’s not just cycling where sexism occurs. Copy and paste the findings into several other sports that have had welfare issues and inequities recently – gymnastics, rugby, hockey, football and canoe racing.

Women in these spaces have tried to raise issueswith their sports bodies, and when they are ignored or not taken seriously they turn to the media – social or otherwise – to be heard.

These women will be silenced no longer.

This just doesn’t happen at the top level. Sexism permeates throughout sport. It’s in our communities, our commentary boxes, our armchairs and our boardrooms.

To say women don’t deserve investment of time, energy, money, and coverage, because ‘‘they aren’t as good as the men’’ is sexism.

To not provide opportunities for women and girls to play, or to change the format of seasons and playing conditions without consultation is sexism.

To not provide equal sponsorship or equal and fair pay to women in sport because of ‘‘the market’’ is sexism.

To not acknowledge women’s health as a performance matter is sexism.

To apply fitness standards and practices to women that were originally created for men is sexism.

To not acknowledge the traditional societal roles women have and the impact that has on their sport participation is sexism.

To makewomen and girls wear uniforms that are not fit for purpose, or are white, is sexism.

To not provide adequate facilities including changing rooms and toilets for women and girls is sexism.

To have (mainly male) commentators continually referring to adult female athletes as ‘‘girls’’ is sexism.

To not meet the 40% board gender quota by the deadline required by the government is sexism.

To say women aren’t ‘‘built’’ for sport – high performance or otherwise – or comment on their appearance, is sexism.

To say no-one is interested in, watches or cares aboutwomen’s sport is sexism. (Fun fact, the last Women’s Football World Cup had more than 1 billion viewers. The last men’s Rugby World Cup had about 857 million.)

To tell women to shut up, or say they need a sock shoved down their throat, is sexism.

To dismiss women’s lived experiences and voices is sexism. Unrelenting, isn’t it?

But sexism doesn’t just impact women, it impacts men, too.

It reinforces traditional hyper hetero-normative masculine ideals within sport, where ‘‘locker room talk’’ and ‘‘boyswill be boys’’ mentality permeates and is still an accepted practice.

It inhibitsmen from speaking up in support of women and others.

It reinforces that if you’re not part of the ‘‘boys’ club’’ you’re on the outer.

Sexism reinforces that men can’t cry, or share their emotions. It’s harmful to theirmental health and wellbeing. It prevents male survivors of rape, sexual violence and harm from speaking up.

Sexism and sexist practices are pervasive. They happen daily. They are damaging.

There is quiet optimism that sport will change for the better following the cycling review, but it’s going to take a bit of work from all of us.

We all play a role in banishing this type of discrimination, regardless of our place in sport. Now is the time to listen, to learn and to walk alongside those who are sharing their experiences. Then we must act. Speak up. Call it out.

It might be uncomfortable, but change isn’t comfortable. There is no place for sexism in sport. The time for change is now.